Dyne, do you make more money the more your game sells?

[Renwood]

I've been curious about this. I know that PR teams' bonuses can be directly impacted by aggregate review scores, but I've never heard anything about this bit that I can recall.

Obviously success at market has indirect positive effects, but I'm curious about what kind of direct monetary incentive, if any, is tied to a game's sales specifically for average developer #137.

Also, do you get something for each copy of Dr. Mario Wii, you filthy viral marketing sleaze.

[Dyne]

It depends. From what I've experienced so far, you're paid for how talented you are at what you do. It also depends on how needed you are. That's why jobs are very rarely "available" in the game industry unless it's urgent and somebody's left/transfered or there is work that needs to be done right away. Also to note, it's why they'll push for the best programmer/artist/what-have-you they can get for the same money it would cost to get two of the same guy or girl. Steady pay is what keeps people around.

With all of that said, the success of a game does have an impact on the budget the studio receives for the next year. So I think that the employees that stick around and have improved their skills will get what they deserve, if they deserve it. I think that's how it happens for a lot of other industries too. Except marketing, like you noted.

And no, all I get from Dr. Mario is more players to pummel online.

[Aladuf]

Originally Posted by Dyne

And no, all I get from Dr. Mario is more players to pummel online.

That sounds eerily similar to something BaB would say. He's immediately who I thought of when I read that.

[gekko]

Had a teacher address this not that long ago. The answer for her was yes, but rarely.

The publisher is giving the developer money during the development cycle to fund the game. They also are paying all the advertising and marketing costs, as well as the cost of manufacturing. Believe it or not, almost half the development cost comes after the game is done simply releasing it. There are quite a few games which have gone gold and were never released due to the additional cost needed to pay for shelf space and manufacturing.

Once the game is released, the developer gets their small portion of the profits, however, they are still in debt from the large amount of money loaned to them from the publisher in the first place. So they need to make enough profit to completely pay back the publisher, and then they finally get profit, and they usually do give bonuses at that point, which most games never reach.

But considering how fast people come and go in the industry, usually after the years pass and your studio finally gets the bonus, you're gone, and therefore don't get any.

So good luck Dyne. If you get fired and the bonus comes in next week, you'll know why

[Bube]

I think the more important question is, "do you get a copy of the game for free?"

[Dyne]

Originally Posted by Bube

I think the more important question is, "do you get a copy of the game for free?"

Hahah, to my knowledge, most game companies do this.

[Professor S]

I think there is serious money to be made in the gaming industry, but not in the traditional publisher/developer relationship.

Use the technology available and self-publish. Plus and/or go through some of the more unique online publishers that are out there right now. Your profit margin skyrockets and if successful, you'll be able to write your own ticket to publishers to create a "epic game" if you so wish.

Be creative with your business model, and you won't need a slavish relatioship with a publisher.